Platinum–rare earth metal (Pt–RE) nanoalloys are
among the most active electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction
and are predicted to exhibit long-term stability in proton-exchange
membrane fuel cells. We have recently developed a solid-state chemical
route for synthesizing this family of alloy materials, which is carried
out under seemingly impossible conditions. Here, we report an in-depth
understanding of the synthesis mechanism, obtained through systematic
investigations of the chemical processes involved at different stages
of the synthesis process and the structural evolution of the intermediate
products. The formation of Pt–RE nanoalloys is made possible
by a series of consecutive chemical and physical processes, including
the polymerization processes of the nitrogen-rich precursor, the formation
of a porous RE carbodiimide phase, the mobility of the formed metal
phases on the carbon support, the reduction of the RE metals driven
by the alloying reaction, and so forth. This thorough understanding
of the mechanism of the synthesis process lays the foundation for
optimizing the synthesis procedures and maneuvering this method to
synthesize Pt–RE alloy materials with the desired structures
and properties.